EANS-News: Successful first quarter at centrotherm photovoltaics

Earnings more than doubled

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companies/Quarterly results

Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) - Successful first quarter at centrotherm
photovoltaics: Earnings more than doubled

- Revenue up from EUR 67.7 million to EUR 131.0 million - EBIT
(before purchase price allocations) grows from EUR 8.5 million to
EUR 18.5 million - Order intake amounts to EUR 416.4 million - Order
book totals around EUR 1.3 billion - Revenue growth between EUR 500
million and EUR 550 million confirmed for the full year

Blaubeuren, May 14, 2009 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG has made a
highly successful start to the 2009 business year: the revenue of the
technology and equipment provider for the production of solar
silicon, crystalline solar cells and CIGS thin film modules rose to
EUR 131.0 million in the first quarter of 2009, compared with EUR
67.7 million in the first quarter of the previous year. Operating
profit (EBIT) before purchase price allocations more than doubled
from EUR 8.5 million in the previous year to EUR 18.5 million. The
margin rose to 14.1%, significantly above the previous year's 12.6%.
When including the effects from purchase price allocations, EBIT
amounted to EUR 14.7 million (previous year: EUR 8.5 million). This
corresponds to an EBIT margin of 11.2%. Earnings before interest,
tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 19.5
million in the first quarter of the current year (previous year: EUR
8.7 million).

Strong order intake in the first quarter 2009

The successful start to the new business year is also reflected in
the company's order intake. New orders with a total volume of EUR
416.4 million were signed in the first quarter (previous year: EUR
282.4 million) - more than ever before in the first three months of a
year. The order book totaled around EUR 1.3 billion as of March 31,
2009 (previous year: EUR 677.4 million). "In view of the fact that we
have won new orders despite the difficult market situation, and that
we have such an extensive order book, we are highly confident that we
will achieve our targets for the full 2009 year," commented Oliver M.
Albrecht, CFO of centrotherm photovoltaics. "Therefore, we are
maintaining the targeted revenue growth between EUR 500 million and
EUR 550 million that we have budgeted for 2009, accompanied by an
increase in our EBITDA."

Milestones in the first three months 2009

centrotherm photovoltaics reached a milestone in its corporate
history in March 2009. With its "First Silicon Out" announcement, the
company confirmed the performance of its own silicon reactors:
polysilicon equipment went into successful operation at the
production location of an Asian customer, and silicon was produced
for the first time. Robert M. Hartung, CEO of centrotherm
photovoltaics, commented as follows: "Our aim now is to continuously
improve the efficiency of the production process, in order to thereby
cut our customers' costs." centrotherm photovoltaics has signed
orders for the production of around 5,000 tonnes of silicon in the
first three months of the current year alone. Robert Hartung went on
to add: "Major demand and our success in this business area vindicate
our decision to extend our range of services beyond our core solar
cell business. Our technology- and turnkey- concept provides further
competitive advantage." In recent years, the company, through
continuous research and development along the value-creation chain,
has added to its product offerings, and has established itself as a
technology and equipment provider for the manufacturing of solar
silicon, crystalline solar cells and CIGS thin film modules. In the
first quarter of 2009, centrotherm photovoltaics also received an
order to supply two turnkey production lines for the production of
solar cells with a capacity of 100 MW, as well as a production line
for the manufacturing of thin film modules with a capacity of 50 MW.

The company, which is based at Blaubeuren in Germany, operates its
own integrated research and development activities in all business
areas. "The intention is that R&D will remain a central component of
our corporate strategy in the future," emphasized Robert Hartung. "We
regard technological innovations as a key to securing our long-term
market position."

* All margins relate to revenue

The interim report as of March 31, 2009 can be downloaded from
www.centrotherm.de in the Investor Relations area.

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG centrotherm photovoltaics AG,
which is based at Blaubeuren, is one of the world's leading
technology and equipment providers for the production of solar
silicon, crystalline solar cells and CIGS thin film modules. The
broad product spectrum comprises key equipment and turnkey production
lines for crystalline and thin-film solar cells. The product range is
supplemented by reactors and converters for the manufacturing of
solar silicon. centrotherm photovoltaics guarantees its customers
important performance parameters such as production capacity, degree
of efficacy, and completion deadlines for turnkey lines. The Group
employs around 1,100 staff members, and operates in Europe, Asia and
the USA. centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2008
financial year of EUR 375 million, EBIT of EUR 56 million*, and is
listed in the TecDax of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange. (*before
purchase price allocation)

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: centrotherm photovoltaics AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Company contact:

Saskia Schultz-Ebert

Senior Manager Investor Relations

Tel: +49 7344 918-8890

E-mail: saskia.schultz-ebert@centrotherm.de

Press contact:

Christina Siebels, Grit Pauli

HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH

Tel: +49 40 3690 50-58 /-31

E-mail: c.siebels@hoschke.de; g.pauli@hoschke.de

Branche: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard